Independently Owned, Locally Grown, Community Loved
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Over the weekend, the Ayr Surf Club headed north to Forrest Beach, near Ingham, to undertake the second carnival of the North Barrier Branch competition season. Despite a smaller than usual cohort of competitors, there were some absolutely brilliant individual and team efforts throughout the two days of competition, and it was fantastic to see some of the club's newer members pushing themselves to take on the challenging Ironperson event. Club Junior Activities Co-ordinator Kellie Lawry repo
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The 2024 Country Swimming Championships took place in Darwin from 27 to 30 September, with the Burdekin Swimming Club proudly represented by Millie Lyne, accompanied by her dedicated coaches, Kim and Mick McConnachie. The event brought together 51 clubs from across regional Australia, with 334 swimmers competing for medals and striving for personal bests. Millie’s hard work over the winter months paid off, as she achieved three personal best times and earned a place on the podium in three even
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The 2024/25 Senior Cricket season at Home Hill Cricket kicked off in style on Saturday 12 October with four teams taking the field. It was a family affair, with fathers and sons playing together for the Rookies, Alliance Pharmacy, and Crowned Mongrels. On Barry Richards Field, the Rookies faced off against Crowned Mongrels in a tightly contested match. Despite a standout performance by Dan Olditch, who scored 45 runs from 48 balls, the Rookies fell just short as Crowned Mongrels clinched victor
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This week saw the return of junior cricketers to the fields as the Home Hill Cricket Association launched the 2024/25 season. Players of all ages took to the pitch, from the smallest rookies to the more experienced juniors. Junior cricket sessions are open to children aged 5 and up. The "Rookies" (5-7-year-olds) meet on Tuesday afternoons from 3:30p.m. at East Ayr State School, while the "Challengers" (8-10-year-olds) and Juniors (Under 11s and older) play on Friday afternoons at the Home Hill
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Junior golf at the Ayr Golf Club made an exciting return this term, kicking off with the September Monthly Medal event. It was fantastic to see a great number of new kids take the course with the Club sharing a warm welcome to all their new members! In the 3-hole competition, Opie McKeough claimed the Monthly Medal, while newcomer Tyler Smith had an outstanding performance, securing the Gross Winner title, Least Putts, and Longest Putt with a remarkable gross score of 18. For the 6-hole event,
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This Sunday, 20 October will host a showdown like never before with the Home Hill Harvest Festival’s Town of Origin event! Compeitive and dedicated teams from Ayr and Home Hill have been busily gearing up for the much-loved event which will run from 1pm to 6pm at Home Hill High School. An annual clash, the event celebrates the friendly rivalry between the two towns, with exciting matchups in cricket, netball, and rugby. But there’s more to this event than just the competition - it’s a true c
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Thursday 10 October Flexi Queensland’s Mental Health & Wellbeing Expo Movie Surprise Thursday from 6pmAs part of Queensland Mental Health Week, the Burdekin community is invited to come along for an evening of fun and socialisation at Flexi Queensland’s Mental Health & Wellbeing Expo Movie Surprise! An event to raise awareness for Mental Health Week 2024, the evening will begin with an expo and nibbles at 6pm, with an exciting surprise movie screening from 7pm!Stardust Drive in
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The annual Harvest Festival Students’ Ball in Home Hill was a night to remember, showcasing local youth dressed to impress. The prestigious titles of Belle and Beau of the Ball were awarded to Zoe Bonanno and Ryan Kennedy, with Blaize Palmer and Emily Leek taking home the Runners Up titles. Special mentions were given to Ezra Henaway, Rudie Laubscher, Ponhila Finau, Cooper Raitelli, Tianee Bolam, Sophie Parker, Charlie Conway, and Payton Rogers for their standout performances and style. Photo
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This morning I woke to the sound of two distressed Magpies! What was troubling them I could not tell. Until I saw a Baby Magpie on the Ground underneath the Big Old Footpath Tree! I thought the Baby was dead but mum and dad Magpie did not give up hope as they sat patiently by, squawking at the baby to try to fly away from cars, cats, and other predators! It’s not easy being a Magpie in today’s world it seems! Sadly, I see so many dead ones flattened by speeding cars. Or having to cope with t
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In this issue, we’re excited to spotlight one of the region’s most treasured traditions—the Home Hill Harvest Festival. This week, the elegant Students’ Ball had students lighting up the evening with their style and excitement, marking the beginning of another wonderful celebration in the Burdekin. This long-standing event continues to be a highlight for our younger generation, showcasing their pride in our community’s rich heritage. As the festival season unfolds, the anticipation builds for th
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Earlier this week, almost 30 Council workers participated in industrial strike action outside Burdekin Council Offices. Jim Wilson from the Australian Workers Union took the decisive step to initiate the stop-work action, which was deliberately timed to coincide with the local government council meeting. The move aimed to push forward the ongoing negotiations and secure a favourable outcome for council employees who are currently in dispute for better working rights. The current agreement that
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More than 100,000km of driving in the electorate, five state budget replies and 45 sitting weeks have wrapped up Member for Burdekin Dale Last’s third term as a member of parliament with the dissolution of the 57th parliament taking place in the recent week. Mr Last said with the writ being issued last Tuesday, there was an opportunity to reflect on the advocacy for issues faced in the north and the recognition of the people who called the Burdekin home. “I have said it plenty of times but the
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If you have recently taken a stroll around the community, you might have noticed a few bright red benches in prominent public spots. Thanks to a combined effort by the Burdekin Shire Council, the Burdekin Men’s Shed, and the Zonta Club Burdekin Inc, four Red Benches have been cleaned, painted, and repaired for installation. The benches can now be found at the Graham Street entrance of the Burdekin Library, outside the Ayr Court House, in front of the Burdekin Community Association building, and
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Dr Amanda Nickson, a wife, mother, Social Worker, author, speaker, and Pastor, has been a Burdekin resident for 21 years, living in Nome. With over four decades of experience as a Social Worker in government, non-government, academia, and private practice, she has developed a deep understanding of the challenges facing families and individuals. Currently running her own business, Dr Nickson is known for her advocacy and negotiation skills. Her priority for the region is addressing what she perce
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Andrew Elborne, One Nation Candidate for Burdekin in the upcoming State Election, has a deep-rooted passion for improving regional communities, shaped by his personal experiences and commitment to youth and mental health. His journey into politics is driven by a desire to provide real solutions for communities like the Burdekin. Elborne’s values align closely with One Nation’s mission of reducing unnecessary legislation and supporting regional development. Having worked with troubled youth and f
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Dr Daniel Carroll, a paediatric surgeon with 13 years of experience in both public and private healthcare, is standing to promote health equity in the Burdekin region. His career has exposed him to the challenges disadvantaged communities face, and now, he aims to close the gap by engaging in politics. He has received strong support from the Katter Australian Party, a values-based party that aligns with his stance on justice, anti-crime policies, and infrastructure reform, areas he feels are oft
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When travelling around, you may spot a blue tree standing out in the landscape. These trees are part of the Blue Tree Project, a mental health initiative that encourages conversation and awareness. Suzie Jerkic encountered one of these striking blue trees and felt inspired to contribute to the cause. Suzie decided to paint her own blue tree, initially choosing an old dead tree on her property. However, knowing it might fall over in time, she found a healthier tree right in the driveway and took
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The Adelaide to Whitsundays flights have been operating since early September and the new route is making it easier for people in the Burdekin region to travel down to South Australia and explore the wonders it has to offer. CEO of Whitsunday Coast Airport Craig Turner said this new destination makes reaching capital cities more accessible for people here in North Queensland. “Living in regional North Queensland, distance is a challenge for people. So, to be able to have connectivity to places
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Join the Burdekin Shire community this Saturday, 12 October, for a day full of celebration and connection at the Burdekin Theatre Forecourt. The event will commence from 3pm with a special celebration marking the 30th anniversary of the Burdekin Shire Youth Council. From 4pm, attendees can explore a variety of craft activities and health and wellness information stalls, with families able to enjoy free face painting for the kids, live music, and a delicious free sausage sizzle starting at 5pm.
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An Oktoberfest celebration to remember will ignite Rugby Park on Saturday 26 October in celebration of the Burdekin Rugby League Home Hill Harvest Festival Queen, Tegan Johnson. With plenty of enjoyable games and competitions scheduled for the afternoon, kids will be granted free entry into the event to enjoy all the family fun day has to offer. Commencing from 1pm, the first 50 adults to walk through the gates will receive a free beer stein to kick off the Oktoberfest celebrations. The af
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Tucked away in the heart of the Burdekin’s agricultural landscape, Osborne State School has been a cornerstone of the Home Hill community since its establishment in 1914. Surrounded by vibrant cane fields and family-run farms, this small but spirited school offers a unique and nurturing learning environment that has served generations of local families. Osborne State School provides something increasingly rare in today’s education system: a personalised, community-driven education. While many pa
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Councillors recently attended the Police Remembrance Day on Friday 20 September. The service was well attended and a time to remember those lost in the line of service and a time to reflect on the difficult and at times dangerous work police attend to. Say ‘Hi and thanks for your service to your local police’ This week is ‘Mental Health Week’ with many activities taking place. The Lions had a strong Grand Final win over the Swans, what a tremendous effort coming from fifth place. I heard some
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This week, we are proud to recognise Queensland Mental Health Week, a time to reflect on the importance of wellbeing, support those around us, and encourage open conversations about your health. It’s a great opportunity to connect with others and remind ourselves that it’s okay to ask for help when needed. As part of the week’s celebrations, I’d like to invite everyone to join us for the Connect and Celebrate event this Saturday 14 October, at the Burdekin Theatre Forecourt, starting from 3pm. W
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Campbell's Jewellery is set to make a significant mark this spring with its massive 50% off storewide sale on Sunday, 13th October from 9am to 2pm. The store is filled with stock, offering customers the best opportunity to find stunning jewellery and accessories at unbeatable prices. Rose Papadimitriou decided it was time to treat its loyal customers with a big event that promises to stand out from their other seasonal sales. The promotion covers everything in-store, from diamonds and coloured
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If you have any information about crime or illicit drugs, contact police. The more detailed the information you give, the better it will be for all concerned. Remember to secure your property – lock it or lose it. You wouldn’t leave a dish containing thousands of dollars sitting on your bench or sitting out in the open, so why do this with your car keys. Keep them safe by storing them out of sight and ensuring your home and car is locked at all times. If you have information for police, contact
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